Subject:
Most Powerful Military of All Time in Terms of Global Percentage Aeb4ever1/13/2006 1:20:45 AM

What was the most powerful military of all time in terms of global share of military power? For example, the USA is currently ranked at having about 53% of total naval power. I am referring in terms of all branches vs the world.
My votes would be either the Mongols at height, Romans at height, English at height, USA after WWII, or USA after Cold War. Can’t make a guess at each countries percentage though.
Fell free to add your own list or make a guess at the percentages of mine.

It's difficult to classify Florence ---and Venice as Heorot rightly points out---- because it was never a military superpower. However, capitalism and in some ways democracy emerged from Florence. It was leagues ahead politically, culturally and financially of the rest of absolutist feudal Europe. Art was its propaganda which extended its influence all through Europe.

Some put geographic or political conditions on what an empire needs to be spawned; yet we have seen empires formed in the forest (South America), islands (Polynesians) and in a city: Firenze.

I ask about Firenze because it raises an intersting question: does an empire need military might to be an empire.... it appears not in this case.

Great and informative post and I agree with you mostly, but I think you need to read 'Civilizations' by Felipe Fernando Ramirez. Geography is quite important!

Wait... France exceeded 40% of the world's military force in the interwar period? *stunned*.... I'm not going to bother answering that, either you're not serious or you ARE in fact completely insane.

1805-1812 is worth an argument, but definitely untrue. The coalition did manage to take France down, and they were far from all the world... There were neutral parties in Europe, The United States, The Empire of Mexico?, South America, most of Africa remained uncolonialized, several half-decent Muslim nations and some other weak ones, China (Opium war was won largely on internal strife), Japan, Siam...

25-35% in land power is more realistic... and that IS counting Napoleon's genious.

maybe not the greatest but sure deserves a mention, Shaka Zulu the african warlord, he practically dominated africa with his little exploits purely through military strength and a bit of deception here and there, thats no easy task just by using infantry armed with spears and sheilds, i think he deserves a mention.